Can Harvick ever win the championship

Despite all the World Series excitement, there is another close contest of the Nascar Sprint Cup Championship going down to the last 4 races of the season. Effectively speaking, there are only 3 drivers have a good shoot at the Championship; Jimmie Johnson, #48, the 4-time defending champion, Denny Hamlin, #11, and Kevin Harvick, #29.

Here, I am going to talk about Kevin Harvick and why he will not win and probably will never win until he grows up. He is a 11 year veteran, but yet is immature like an rookies. For example,

1. Remember how he took out Joey Logano, the shouting match afterward (those are all understandable giving the heat of the moment), then Joel mentioned Kevin's wife (that was immature and over the line), but then Kevin jabbed at Joel and on and on. Remember, you have an 11 year veteran and a 2nd year kid. Instead, you have 2 kids, not an adult and a kid.

2. Remember Cliff Bowyer won at Dover, then failed the post-race inspection. No, I am not going to comment whether the inspection was fair or not. After Denny Hamlin made comments accusing RCR, Harvick hit Hamlin during practice. I understand he is upset. But Mr. Harvick, why bring the attention and distraction to yourself as you go into the Chase.

3. Just 2 weeks ago, opening complain about this crew. And they probably weren't the best and a change did happen eventually. But it definitely didn't win any friends.

4. Last week, he and Jeff Burton, a teammate, started a fight in the middle of the race by banging on each other, then complain to the press. Wow. Right in the middle of a championship fight.

Can you imagine the Giants and Rangers to start a flight among themselves rather than the opponent. His immaturity makes it ever so difficult to really win it all while under pressure. Until he grows up, it is hard to see that right now.

Mr. Jim Cramer

Early on, I was never much of a Jim Cramer fan because he is such a loud-mouth and crazy, even though I watch him on the Kudlow & Cramer. Then, I ever made fun of him when he made some bad calls.

Then, this summer, while attending TDAmeritade investor workshop, Jim Cramer's name came up as one of the all-time top investors. I have my doubt but decided to watch his Mad Money show and read this book.

For the past 3 months, I watched his show every day and finally understand what make Mr. Cramer special. He recommends good solid stocks which have STARTED the run up. If you are looking to follow Cramer and get 200% or 300% gain, forget it. But for 20%-30%, even 60%-70% run (I'll take that).

Consider his C.A.N.D.I.E.S recommendations:

CMG - from $88 to $210 YTD up 139%
AAPL - from $210 to $305 YTD up 45%
NFLX - from $55 to $175 YTD up 218%
DECK - from $34 to $54 YTD up 59%
ISRG - from $303 to $262 YTD down 14%
ESRX - from $43 to $48 YTD up 11%
CRM - from $73 to $115 YTD up 69%

That is only YTD in 2010. I don't know about you but those are pretty good picks. All investors will get it wrong sometime, Cramer is human too. As Cramer suggests, we can't simply follow his advise blindly, we need to do our homework as well (I guess that is his ways to minimize criticism).

But in any case, you need to have you own investment styles and preference. No matter what any advisor say, you got to evaluate based on your own belief before investing.

All in all, my view of Jim Cramer has changed 180 degree. I used ridicule him but now I respect him. If you are like me, skepticism is good but it is OK to change your view sometime.

Go Giants!!

Did I say Giants in 6? It looks more likely that it will happen. The Rangers will win 2 of 3 in Texas and the Giants can finish it off in game 6 in AT&T Park. Yea.

Now, looking back to game 1. Obviously, it was great to see the Giants broke out of their hitting slump by scoring 11 runs, but do it against Cliff Lee, who all the experts say is absolutely un-hittable. Naaaa! The best news coming out of game 1 was obviously the victory. The second best news was they beat the unbeatable Cliff Lee. The third best news was they scored 11 runs. But the bad news that I didn't like was the Giants reliever gave up 3 runs in the ninth which I thought shift the momentum to the Rangers.

But tonight, game 2 was much different than I expected. One, I thought it might rain, it didn't. Two, I thought the game could be sloppy if it rains and windy, no it didn't. A great pitching dual until the Giants broke it open in the eighth. That 7 runs in the eighth can really send a message. Not just the Giants pitches beat Lee, Wilson, and the bullpens also. Now, the Rangers can think out this 0-9 lost in game 2 and 0-2 in the series as they fly home and think it through for an extra day. The momentum is clearly on the Giants side.

Clearly, this is the time to test the team's character. The Rangers can fold and lose in 4, which I doubt it would happen. After-all, they came back and beat the Rays and Yankees. My prediction, game 3 to Rangers, game 4 to Giants, game 5 to Rangers, and game 6 to Giants!

Blog renewed - Go Giants

This blog started right after Super Bowl Sunday in 2008. I know ... I have been lazy. But today is the San Francisco Giants' match to their first World Series Championship since moving to San Francisco. I admit it is a bit premature but that is what fans do.

Serious speaking, the Texas Rangers would have to be the favorite again, but don't worry the Giants has always been the underdog all years. Assuming the pitching match-up of
Lee vs. Lincecum, then Wilson vs. Cain, Lewis vs. Sanchez, Hunter vs. Bumgarner, the edge goes to the Giants. As for hitting, no doubt the edge goes to the Rangers. As we all know, pitching wins Championship.

My prediction: another series of exciting, nail-biting, torturing 1-run games. And Giants will win in 6. Go Giants!!!!!!

Customer Services is a Great American Virtue

I am sure many of you had the experience of calling customer services, then realized that the call is being answered by someone in India, Philippine, or some other remote places. And I am sure that many of you can tell immediately that the calls were off-shored.

I work in the customer services business, so I know the technology, the infrastructure, the operation, and most importantly, the business rational for moving customer services operation to low-cost region. I understand all that. I have many colleagues over there. I have visited there. But this is not to demean those working at call-centers in India but simply to share my experience, just this morning, calling multiple services center, which all happened to be in the U.S.

First, I called IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company regarding my auto and home insurance. I talked to two ladies and both are extremely friendly and helpful. I made an addition, some modification, got a quote, and explore some options for saving on my policies. Not a moment that I felt mistreated or troublesome. They were as nice as I could possibly felt, and so friendly that I needed to thank them before I hung up.

Next, I called a Meriwest Credit Union regarding a loan. The lady sounds Asian and definitely a US ascent. All I wanted was the rate and a few question. Again, she answered professionally, friendly, and at no point pressuring me into acting immediately.

Next, I called Verizon Wireless regarding controlling messaging feature, which I used to be able to do on the web but somehow can't. Once again, the lady came on and gladly proceed to help. Apparently she had somewhat of the same trouble I had but she has others ways to control my accounts that I can't. While she worked through it, we had a little chat and full understood and emphasize why I did what I did.

All in all, I talked to four customer services reps this morning. Amazingly, all four calls were phenomenal. To me, that is a Great American Virtue. We understand customer services better than anyone, and best of all, we deliver a wonderful experience. Yes, some companies would move their call-center to India and have a Indian ladies called herself Mary and answered our calls. Guess what, I can tell and I am sure many of you can also. I am glad and happy to do business with companies that hire the wonderful Americans to service the fellow Americans. And continue to deliver exceptional services.

Let me help you explain the switch, Senator Specter

Honestly, Senator Arlen Specter was one of the few Republican Senators that I like. Not that I like everything he did or said, but he was the more reasonable Republican in the Senate, relatively speaking. I am a reasonable person, really!

As a Democrat, I love to see him leaving the dark side and joining the good guys. No kidding. But his reasoning for switching party was, well, let's say very very weak, at best. What? The Republican Party left him. Mr. Specter, you can do better than that. No question. It is for you political survival, but you can try to give a little better reason than that, right? Let me help you.

First, refer to the recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, which showed the number of Americans identified themselves as Republicans have shrank from 29% a year ago to only 21% today. While those identified themselves as Independent grew from 28% in March 2008 to 38% today. What is that mean? Clearly, Senator Specter was a moderate Senator within the Republican party. The poll clearly suggested those supported him (that 10% or so) have left the GOP party and now called themselves Independent. So, it only makes sense for him to go with the people whom represented.

I don't know about you. It is still political survival but at least, it sounds better.

Condi Rice: "By definition, if it was authorized by the President, it didn't violate our obligation under the Geneva Convention"

If you haven't seen the video posted by Stanford Student Reyna Garcia and his friends, who cornered Condoleezza Rice to question her on the Bush Administration usage of torture. Here is the link

First of all, you got to give credit to Reyna and his friends for confronting who was and is a Stanford Professor, former National Security Advisor, and former Secretary of State. It took some guts. I hope these students wouldn't need to take one of her classes, otherwise, they would guarantee an 'F' for sure.

If you listen to Condi Rice's defensive argument, it was one of those Dick Cheney argument that " well, only if you have seen the facts that we saw, you would have understand, but then we can't show you the fact because you aren't high enough in the government." It is an effective way to shutdown the other person's argument, yet they don't need to produce any REAL evidents to justify their perspectives. It was difficult for Reyna and his friends for a comeback but it did wish they would request on camera a follow-up interview after they have a chance to prepare. Now, I do wonder if Professor Rice would agree to such an interview.

The other shocking argument by the former Secretary was (start at time 6:05):

"The United States was told, we were told, nothing that the violates our obligation under the convention against torture. By definition, if it was authorized by the President, it didn't violate our obligation under the Geneva Convention."

There are 2 serious flaws in her argument. One, I wish that student would follow up with this simple question, "You were authorized by who, again?"

Consider this: If my brain told my hands to kill someone, would that not violate the law and not a murder then? Trust me, my brain is totally convince that it is right and totally justified. I know, I know. You'll say that the brain and the hands are part of the same person. Well, just like the White House and the Justice Department are the same Administration.

Two, I am sure you have seen this clip from 32 years ago, of the former President Nixon which he said, "When the president does it, that means that is not illegal." And remember, Nixon was impeached and resigned in disgrace. Bush and Cheney should have too.

Now, imagine if you were able to ask Saddam Hussein: "President Hussein, what gave you the right to torture and killed thousands of Iraqi". His answer probably would be , "Since I am the President (of Iraq), that means there were not illegal."

If these are the best argument the Bush Gang can come up with, that is a slippery slope.